Children's home run by Flourish (Gloucestershire) Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2741488 1 Registered provider: Flourish (Gloucestershire) Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider. It is registered to care for up to 3 children who have learning difficulties and may have autism and/or social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 3 children were living in the home. All were present during the inspection and one was spoken to by the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since the home was first registered in September 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 26 February 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2741488 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/02/2025 Full Good 03/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2741488 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff working at this home provide care that is nurturing and therapeutic. This care has enabled children to form trusting and positive relationships with them. One child said that they like living in the home and feel safe. Staff support children to have meaningful time with people who are important to them. Children’s families regularly visit the home, helping children to strengthen important relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a warm, homely and welcoming environment. The home is thoughtfully designed, with distinct areas that support children’s interests and sensory needs. For example, children have access to a well ‑ equipped sensory room and a dedicated playroom, each tailored to their individual preferences and developmental needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making steady and sustained progress from their starting points. This is because staff demonstrate a strong understanding of each child’s individual needs. Consequently, children receive consistent daily support to work towards the targets identified in their care plans, including those relating to self-care. Staff use creative and well ‑ considered strategies to help children develop these skills, which promotes increasing independence and confidence over time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are supported and well understood and monitored. Staff work with children to help them prepare for new appointments, using social stories. Staff and managers act on any health concerns and seek medical advice when required. Children attend routine health appointments and are in good health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Communication aids are used effectively to support children who have limited verbal communication. These well ‑ established systems have enabled one child in particular to make notable progress in developing their verbal communication skills. Staff use creative and individualised approaches to help children understand and use communication; for example, they read personalised books to children at bedtime. This practice strengthens children’s language development and understanding. Furthermore, children are enabled to express their choices throughout the day, such as selecting their clothing, meals and preferred activities. This promotes their independence and ensures that their views are consistently heard and acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education regularly and are making progress in their learning. However, one child has remained on a reduced timetable for an extended period. Despite staff efforts to support the child, their educational needs are not fully met, and they are not supported to reach their potential. The manager has not escalated concerns appropriately when external responses have been ineffective, including seeking advocacy to support the child’s education and care planning. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741488 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There is a strong safeguarding culture in the home. Staff have a clear understanding of the risks that children may face and are guided by detailed and well ‑ structured individual plans. They use well-established therapeutic strategies, which helps children feel safe and supported. This consistent approach has led to no physical interventions being used since the last inspection.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When children make comments that cause concern, staff respond promptly and transparently. They explore these comments immediately, ensure children are safe and inform relevant professionals. However, at times, there has been a delay in concerns being reported. The manager identified this issue promptly and has taken effective action to strengthen practice. When children have limited communication, staff and managers work effectively with external professionals to ensure children’s comments are taken seriously and explored in line with safeguarding practices.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Managers have taken action since the last inspection to strengthen practice around the administration and storage of medication. Staff follow established procedures for administering, recording and storing medication, which reduces the risk of error and promotes consistent practice. Medication is stored securely, and routine checks ensure that records remain accurate and up to date. Staff demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge and competence, supported by relevant training. This enables them to administer medication safely and in line with individual health plans.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Safer recruitment procedures are robust and consistently applied. These checks ensure that only suitably vetted adults are employed to work with children, strengthening the overall safeguarding culture in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably experienced and qualified manager. He has a strong understanding of children’s needs and is a strong advocate for children. He leads by example and is an effective role model for his team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates reflective practice, to strengthen safeguarding processes and the quality of care for children, while also improving staff confidence in managing situations. Overall, his approach shows a commitment to continuous improvement, accountability and multi ‑ agency working, to protect children and support their development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals say communication is effective and children are well cared for. Children are supported by a stable and committed staff team. They are passionate about their work and say they enjoy working in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training that is closely aligned to the specific needs of the children. This ensures that they have the knowledge and skills required to provide effective Inspection report for children’s home: 2741488 5 individualised care. As a result, staff are confident in their roles and able to support children’s progress and wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems are in place that provide leaders and managers with a thorough overview of children’s care and development. The manager strives for high standards and has a clear development plan for the home and staff team to address areas requiring further strengthening. His determination to improve practice has resulted in the requirement from the previous inspection being met. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741488 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that when the placing authority or another relevant person does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child’s needs during their time in the home, children have access to an advocate to ensure their voice is heard in their care planning. The registered person should ensure they escalate issues when responses from external professionals are ineffective. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741488 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Flourish (Gloucestershire) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 20 Westend Office Suites, Westend, Stonehouse, Gloucester GL10 3FA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Samantha Summers

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Inspector

Joanne Humphreys, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2741488 8 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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